blood relationship
First cousin
First cousin
Definition
A first cousin is the child of your aunt or uncle. You and your first cousin share a pair of grandparents.
How the relationship works
From a shared grandparent, you are two generations down and your cousin is also two generations down. Cousin degree = min(2, 2) − 1 = 1, with zero removals.
Example path
First cousin
Path: You → Mother → Sister → Daughter
Cousin degree equals min(2, 2) − 1 = 1. Removal equals |2 − 2| = 0. Person A is 2 generations from the shared ancestor; person B is 2 generations away. Along this path, you are 2 generations from the shared ancestor (grandparent), and the other person is 2 generations from that ancestor.
Frequently confused with
- Second cousin
- First cousin once removed
FAQ
Do first cousins share the same generation?
Usually yes — both are the same number of generations from the shared grandparents.
Is my parent’s sibling’s child my first cousin?
Yes. That is the classic first-cousin relationship.